Disc and method for playing a game on ice

ABSTRACT

A kit for playing a game on ice. The kit includes two or more game discs and a set of instructions for playing the game. The game discs are shaped to enable their passage over imperfections in the ice. Specifically, the game discs are tapered, such as with beveling but not limited to that. The taper reduces the chance that the disc will be stopped or diverted as it travels over the ice. The game requires the formation of two holes spaced from one another in the hole without extending through the ice. The game is played by sliding the discs toward the holes and scoring based on disc entry into the hole as well as closest proximity to the hole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game that can be played on ice. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, kit, and method that include a set of discs and instructions for playing the game using the discs.

2. Description of the Prior Art

People who ice fish tend to spend a substantial amount of time waiting for the tip-up to move, confirming a fish has been hooked. One option for passing the time while remaining accessible to the fishing tackle is to play a game on the ice. People play cards, cornhole, hockey, catch, and an array of other customized activities. It is desirable to pass that waiting time in a fun way. Therefore, what is needed is a game that can be played while ice fishing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a game suited for playing on ice but not necessarily limited thereto. This object is accomplished with the present invention, which is a kit including game pieces and instructions for playing the game. The invention includes the method of playing the game using the game pieces that comprise the apparatus of the invention. The game pieces are discs each of which is configured to slide on the ice, including a perimeter shaped to enable passage of the disc over impediments to sliding that may exist on the ice surface, such as ice chunks and upheavals but not limited thereto. Specifically, the perimeter of each disc is partially or completely tapered on its upper and lower surfaces. The tapering may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The tapering may be characterized as beveling but not limited to that specifically. Each disc is ordinarily round but the invention is not limited to that specific disc shape. The disc may be made of a nonmetallic material such as a viscoelastic material that may be a plastic or a hard rubber material. The discs may be colored to represent two or more different sets of two or more discs, or they may be otherwise designed to represent the at least two sets.

The game is played using instructions provided, but players may alter rules of the game if they wish. The primary instructions for the game include first include creating a first hole in the ice and a second hole in the ice spaced from the first hole. Next, the disc sets are divided evenly among players of the game. There can be one or more players on a team and two or more teams. The players attempt to slide their respective discs into the second hole while positioned near the first hole. Points are awarded for success in sliding discs into the hole and for proximity to the hole. Points can be offset when two or more players have success getting their discs into the hole. Points awarded for proximity to the hole can also be offset. A measuring tape may be included with the game kit to assist the players in determining disc proximity accurately. The method is repeated with a return to the first hole. The number of rounds of the game is selectable. The winner is named based on the total number of points attained.

Each of the first hole and the second hole extends partially into the ice but not completely through the ice. The first hole and the second hole are spaced apart by a desirable distance. For example, they may be spaced apart by about 33 feet but not limited thereto. The holes may be produced using an ice auger of the type used to make ice fishing holes. Other hole formation means may be used. The game pieces including the discs, the measuring tape(s), an optional scorecard, and a set of game instructions may be stored in a kit for easy transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game pieces of the game kit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a representation of the playing field established by the first hole and the second hole spaced from the first hole.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the representation of the playing field with game discs dispersed thereon.

FIG. 4 comprising FIGS. 4A-4H shows various played disc positions and the associated points assigned for those plays made.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the disc of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the disc of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A kit 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of game pieces. The game pieces include a first set of discs 12, a second set of discs 14, a measuring tape 16, and an optional scorecard 18. The first set of discs 12 and the second set of discs 14 are shown as each including two discs: 20 and 22 in the first set 12; and 24 and 26 in the second set 14. However, it is to be understood that the kit 10 may include more than two sets of discs and each disc set may include more than two discs. The discs 20 and 22 of the first set 12 have an appearance distinct from an appearance of the discs 24 and 26 of the second set 14 so that players of the game can distinguish their respective discs from one another when on ice 28 represented in FIG. 2. For example, the first set 12 may comprise blue discs 20 and 22, while the second set 14 may comprise red discs 24 and 26. Other disc distinctions are possible. The kit 10 includes a set of instructions 30 with rules for playing a game using the game pieces.

The set of instructions 30 describe steps undertaken to play the game using the game pieces. With reference to FIG. 2, a first step of the game requires the players to establish a first playing hole 32 and a second playing hole 34. The first hole 32 and the second hole 34 are spaced from one another by about 33 feet, but that distance may be changed as desired by the players. The holes 32 and 34 may be established in the ice 28 using an augur or other means. The holes 32 and 34 extend partially into the ice 26 a sufficient depth so that more than one of the discs 20-26 will remain therein if reached, but not so deep as to reach water underlying the ice 28. The cross sections of the holes 32 and 34 must also be sufficient to enable more than one of the discs 20-26 to be retained therein. For example, if the discs 20-26 are about 4″ in diameter, the holes 32 and 34 may be about 8″. These dimensions are examples only and the size and shape of the discs 20-26 and the holes 32 and 34 are not limited to these examples.

The next step of the game is to choose a starting player or team. In any subsequent game, the winner of the prior game may go first. With reference to FIG. 3 for a two-person game, both players stand behind the first hole 32, and the first player tosses or slides a disc to the second hole 34. The second player tosses or slides a disc to the second hole 34. The objective is to get a disc into the hole 34. In the alternative, the objective is for one player to get a disc or discs closer to the hole 34 than the discs of the other player. The measuring tape 16 of the kit 10 may be used to determine closest proximity to the hole 34 if there is any doubt. The process is repeated upon return to the first hole 32.

Scoring of the game requires the assignment of points for discs in a hole and closest disc proximity to a hole. As an example, three points may be assigned to each disc in a hole, and one point for disc closest to a hole. When each opposing player gets a disc into a hole, their scores cancel out. The same canceling exists when the disc proximities are equal. A player with all discs in a hole and none in from the opposing player gets three points per disc in. Alternative scoring options are possible with consent of the players. Scores may be recorded using the optional scorecard 18. The winner is the player with the highest point total after all game rounds have been completed. Optionally, a designated winning score may be assigned to determine the end of the game. Scoring examples are shown in FIGS. 4A-4H.

The number of rounds of play, with a round comprising discs tosses to the second hole 34 and then to the first hole 32, is selectable by the players but should be no less than four. As noted, more than two people may play the game. When there are individual players, all stand at the same hole and toss to the opposing hole. When there are teams, there should be two players per team. One player from each team is positioned at the first hole 32, and the other player of the team is positioned at the second hole 34. The discs 20-26 are alternately tossed back and forth without players moving from their respective ice holes. Optionally, when the game is played as a tournament or there otherwise is interest in making in increasing game difficulty, additional rules can include requiring each player to stand on both feet when tossing a disc, requiring a disc release from above the surface of the ice 28, and restricting forward positioning to not beyond the front edge of the hole where the player is located. Other tournament-type rules may be adopted as desired.

An important aspect of playing the game on the ice 28 is the configuration of the discs 20-26. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, each of which shows representative disc 40, the disc 40 is round and has a top 42 and a bottom 44 spaced apart by disc body 46. The top 42 and the bottom 44 may be identical so that they are interchangeable when the disc 40 is in use in the game. A perimeter 48 of the disc 40 is tapered so that a thickness of the disc at the perimeter 48 is substantially less than a thickness of the disc 40 at centerline 50. Specifically, each of the top 42 and the bottom 44 has a taper start point 52 and 54, respectively, that both end at taper end point 56. The angle of taper from points 52 and 54 to end point 56 may be identical or there may be differing angles from the top 42 and the bottom 44. The taper may be substantially a straight line as shown or the taper may be curved, stepped, or otherwise shaped. The unique tapered configuration of the disc 40 enables the disc to pass over imperfections in the ice 28 that may otherwise impede travel of the disc 40 to one of the game holes.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A kit for playing a game on ice, the kit comprising: two or more game discs; and a set of instructions for playing the game, wherein the instructions including steps for setting up the game and rules for playing the game, wherein a step for setting up the game includes forming a first hole and a second hole in the ice spaced from one another by a selectable distance, with the first hole and the second hole not extending completely through the ice, and wherein a rule for playing the game includes scoring points by tossing one or more of the game discs into the first hole, the second hole or both, and by tossing one or more of the game discs closest to the first hole, the second hole or both.
 2. The kit of claim 1 further comprising one or more measuring tapes to be used in measuring closest proximity to the first hole or the second hole.
 3. The kit of claim 1 further comprising a scorecard for recording game scoring.
 4. The kit of claim 1 wherein each of the two or more game discs is tapered from a center thereof to an outer perimeter thereof.
 5. The kit of claim 4, wherein each of the two or more game discs has a top and a bottom, and wherein the taper from the center to the outer perimeter is substantially symmetrical from the top and the bottom of the disc.
 6. A game disc for use in playing a game on ice, wherein the game disc slides on the ice, the game disc comprising a top, a bottom, a center, and an outer perimeter, wherein the game disc is tapered from the center to the outer perimeter.
 7. The game disc of claim 6 wherein the taper from the center to the outer perimeter is substantially symmetrical from the top and the bottom of the disc.
 8. The game disc of claim 6 wherein the game disc is round.
 9. The game disc of claim 6 wherein the taper from the center to the outer perimeter of the game disc is angled.
 10. The game disc of claim 6 wherein the game disc is made of a nonmetallic material. one or more plant separators are porous. 